((Collab between Letter Bee and souleaterfan320))

[b][i]Sphinx Prime[/i][/b]

In the Imperial Palace of the Sphinx, a massive stone structure modeled after the temple of Angkor Wat on Old Earth, Alan Anderson sat on the throne room, which was ornamented with gold and ebony, with a throne of purest mother-of-pearl, all handcrafted by skilled artisan-slaves, who had to be rewarded with freedom after proving their merit. Nevertheless, in this large chamber, Alan listened to reports from his informers, who, in keeping with the low-tech approach of the Sphinx, were using primitive radios and 21st Century Internet; FTL comms were managed by brains-in-jars.

He was satisfied, the campaigns were going well, taking world after world as they went. His main fleets, after smashing the defenses of each world, were followed up by consolidation forces who would begin the process of destroying advanced technology - except that which ran on analog control - and forcing the population into brutal enslavement. With the help of his new allies, allies that were against the Sphinx's ideals, he would conquer the Sector, and live a life of power and pleasure.

"Sir," said a runner, a brown-skinned 18-year old clad only in a pure white, wrap-around kilt, "Kain Sheffield is here to see you!" Alan smiled; the weapons maker was a key ally in his plans.

"Let him in," his voice boomed out, amplified by primitive microphones.

[i]Meanwhile, deep within the confines of HAMMRCO's largest facility....[/i]



Kain took a long draw on his Cuban cigar, as he stared this latest non-abiding client. He had grown tired of the current rise of clients who decided that it would be a great idea to opt outof paying him, and try to take him on.


[i]this poor man, he has no idea what he's gotten himself into..[/i], he thought. He looked deep into the mans eyes before him, looking for some kind of sign of remorse, but just saw a scared boy with power. 


'... Mr. Jones, you have two choices. Either you pay me your dues, or.....'

He takes another long draw on his cigar, before putting it out on the mans forehead, and removing it, as the man screeched out in agony*

'I can make this the worse day of your horrible, miserable life. Scum like you disgust me. You make promises that you cant fulfill...'


He pulls out his .45, pushing the clip in, and loading the first bullet.

' ...luckily for you, ive got all day. So, what is it gonna be,hmm?'

The man looks at Kain, fear and worry in his voice as he speaks.

'P-please, sir... Im sorry, I promise you ill have the payment to you within the week, I have a wife, and family. I beg you, have some mercy...'

The mans tearducts finally give, as he sobs, whilst Kain watches the pitiful man cry like a small child, then Kain speaks to him.

' you said that last week. The previous week. The week before that. How am I to belie-'

Kain's phone rings, and he picks it up.

' yes...? Hmm.. Alright, then. Ill be on my way, just finishing up some business... Ill be on my way, it shouldn't be much longer, my apologies to Alan.'


He hangs up, looking to his previous client.

'Im sorry, our contract has been terminated, goodbye.'

He raises the pistol, blasting the man in the face, and the man falls dead. Kain. Shook his head at the insolent man, it was only a mere two hundred thousand credits that was owed, nothing more, nothing less. But yet, he couldn't pay his dues. Kain holstered his pistol, made his way to the surface, getting into his personal cruiser, that blasts off to Alans current location. Upon arriving, Kain steps out, patting down his clothes, and walks towards the door, and follows Sphinx custom procedures before entering. Upon making his way to Alan, he smiles.

'Alan, my dear friend, good to see you. How are things going?'

"Everything is fine. A dozen worlds just fell yesterday, and full wartime mobilization isn't cutting into our pockets as much as they should," one can tell that Alan was keeping secrets. Secrets about how he was able to find the materials and industrial capacity in order to send out such massive fleets. Then again, the Sphinx Domination's interior was largely unknown to outsiders, while communications within the Domination were...slow, slower than in the other major factions.

"However..." the Emperor of the Sphinx trailed off, "we need more. We need more weapons, ones that do not use automation or sophisticated computer programming and run by analog control. We also need data on what weapons the enemy is using, so as to gain a picture of their capabilities. And so, I am willing to give you the greatest gift an Emperor can give to an outsider - a noble title in the Domination, allowing you to claim one of my personal lands, the Planet of Sabbat."

Sabbat was a resource-rich planet, smaller than Old Earth, but with the same gravity due to the presence of heavier elements like Platinum and the like, which can be found in abundance. It was a pristine place, filled with life, and it had been used as a pleasure planet by Alan's father, Mark. Now, however:

"I want you to [i]develop[/i] the planet, set up slave-factories and mines and shipyards. Use the slaves taken in the recent conquests; if they are moved from their old homeworlds, they will be less likely to resist."

'Hmm... I see. As far as those weapons, I may just have a cache of railguns that may interest you.'

Kain began think about this offer, it sounded like they awanted him to get truthfully involved in their efforts, and that is something he would rather avoid.

' I am truthfully sorry, but running a multi-planet company has been a struggle enough, as it is. Perhaps I could send one of my close associates to assist with this? I could guarantee you that this planet will be fully colonized, and producing the requested materials at an unprecedented rate using only the methods you've mentioned.'

He truthfully hoped that this would work, but just as a failsafe, he tossed out an idea.

'In case my 'friend' goes back on his word, you will receive your requested weapons, free of charge. '

He knew this was a risky move, but it was one he was confident in being able to take a hit like that and make up for it, in due time.

' I am only worried that my potential clients might be turned away, if it is seen that I have my hands in politics, again. This is why I suggest having a close client of mine do this. I can continue my usual business with the outer planets, and still keep our ties strong.  I know tensions have been high, recently, so im willing to help with whatever I can handle.'

"That's even better!" Alan smiled. "You are a very good businessman, Kain Sheffeild. I am...sorry for daring to impose on you. As for what you can handle, well, let's just say that an attempt of mine to seize control of Vegas Station is about to fail soon. Can you devise a way to repair ties with 'Mr. Hut' once it does?"

Kain thought about this long and hard. He knew he should say no, but this also provides an opportunity to worm his way into Vegas Station, and opportunity that he could've only dreamed of. With this, he would have access to a near unlimited supply of mercenaries at his disposal, and a way for him to set up the 'black market' , so he could further his plans.

' I'll see what i can do. I should be able to muster something up. How quickly do you need this to happen?'

"In a few days; you will also be given forty billion nuggets of pure platinum in order to use at your discretion in trying to repair relations with Mr. Hut; use them for bribes, blackmail, covert operations, you're also permitted to take ten percent of the funds as a down payment for your services," Alan said, already thinking of the anguish of the slaves whose lives were spent acquiring such wealth.

Kain grinned, thinking about the resources. Everything was falling into place, this was much, much to easy... 

'I'll get it done as soon as possible, then.  Thank you for your business,   I knew I could count on you, Alan. Also, in return, I need to ask a favor. A select few of my clients are spreading around blasphemous rumors about deals that I had supposedly made deals with enemies of the sphinx empire, something that you and i know all too well to be false. I need them wiped off the face of existence. There scaring away my customers, and its not good for business, is do it myself, but in doing that, is be enforcing those falsified stories in the heart of those who've heard it from those liars' mouths. Could you do this friend the said favor?'

"Of course, of course," spoke Alan, "consider those clients dead."

Kain smiled, and bow in Alan's presence.

'Ill begin my work immediately..'

He extends his hand for a handshake.

'It was a pleasure doing business with you, Alan.'

"A pleasure doing business with you too," the man said, taking the handshake. "Now, if you don't have any more business, I have some more informats to see..."

'I see, ill be on my way, keep me in touch.'

Kain walked back to his cruiser, and sat down on the lavish seats in the interior, as the door closed. He grabs a bottle of champagne from the built in cooler and opens it, pouring himself a glass to celebrate a great deal struck, once again.